1 Samuel 21:6
So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתֶּן
gave
H5414
וַיִּתֶּן
gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
So the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֖ן
So the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 21
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
him hallowed
H6944
קֹ֑דֶשׁ
him hallowed
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
4 of 21
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָ֨יָה
H1961
הָ֨יָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שָׁ֜ם
H8033
לֶ֣חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
9 of 21
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
11 of 21
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֶ֣חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
12 of 21
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
from before
H6440
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
13 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הַמּֽוּסָרִים֙
that was taken
H5493
הַמּֽוּסָרִים֙
that was taken
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
14 of 21
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
from before
H6440
מִלִּפְנֵ֣י
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לָשׂוּם֙
to put
H7760
לָשׂוּם֙
to put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
17 of 21
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
לֶ֣חֶם
bread
H3899
לֶ֣חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
18 of 21
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Historical Context
The showbread was replaced every Sabbath. The old bread, having served its symbolic purpose before the Lord for seven days, was then consumed by the priests in a holy place. Ahimelech's distribution to David stretched but did not violate the spirit of this provision.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God provided for you through unconventional means?
- How do you balance respect for sacred things with responsiveness to urgent human needs?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.
The priest's decision to provide the showbread represents a remarkable pastoral judgment. The Hebrew construction emphasizes that this was the only bread available—literally 'there was no bread except.' The detail about replacing old bread with fresh 'hot bread' indicates this occurred on the Sabbath when the exchange happened (Leviticus 24:8). Thus David received bread that had just completed its week of sacred service. Jesus cited this incident to demonstrate that God's law was made for humanity's benefit, not to impose burdens. Ahimelech's act of mercy would cost him everything, yet Scripture presents his decision as commendable—a priest who understood that compassion fulfills the law's deepest intent.